Florida Man Sues OpenAI, Alleging ChatGPT Health Advice Nearly Killed Him
On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Scott Winters sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco County Superior Court, alleging ChatGPT's medical advice in 2025 nearly killed him.[1]
The complaint says ChatGPT-4o advised Winters to stay home and remain "recliner-bound" despite dizziness and unstable blood pressure.[1] It says Winters suffered a massive pulmonary embolism in July 2025 that was worsened by immobility prompted by the chatbot's advice.[1]
In July 2025, hours before his emergency, Winters told ChatGPT about groin pain and asked what to do.[1] The complaint quotes the chatbot saying "God did not design your body to endlessly fail," and argues that religious framing discouraged him from seeking urgent care.[1]
OpenAI spokesman Drew Pusateri said ChatGPT is not a doctor, should not replace medical care, and that the service's terms warn users not to rely on outputs as sole medical guidance.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Scott Winters sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco County Superior Court.
- The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT-4o in 2025 advised Winters to stay home and remain "recliner-bound" despite dizziness and blood pressure instability.
- Winters suffered a "massive pulmonary embolism" in July 2025 that the suit says was worsened by immobility prompted by ChatGPT's advice.
- The complaint claims ChatGPT used religiously framed language, telling Winters that "God did not design your body to endlessly fail" when he asked about groin pain hours before his emergency.
- OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said ChatGPT is not a doctor, should not be used as a substitute for medical care, and that its terms caution users not to rely on outputs as sole factual or medical guidance.
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